A&M-COMMERCE SPORTS
The Commerce Journal
COMMERCE — A&M-Commerce 72 vs. West Texas A&M 77
Brad Hambrick tied a career-high with 25 points and the Lions pounced out to an early first half lead, but a second half rally from West Texas A&M proved to be the difference as the Buffaloes hand the Lions a 77-72 setback at the First United Bank Center. A&M-Commerce falls to 5-7 overall and 0-4 in Lone Star Conference play, snapping its three-game winning streak.
Hambrick's 25 points came on nine of 13 shooting, including five-of-seven from the three-point arc, as he also pulled down two rebounds while adding a pair of assists. He was one of four Lions to finish in double figures, followed by 13 points and four rebounds by LaBree Sledge.
Desmond King and Preston Whitley each added 10 points for A&M-Commerce with Whitley adding four rebounds. King was held without a rebound for the first time this season. Andrew Davis also contributed seven points and four rebounds for the Lions.
Playing its first game in over two weeks, A&M-Commerce raced out to a fast start, using a 20-6 run to build a commanding 30-13 lead with 11:30 remaining in the opening half. The Lions then were able to keep the Buffaloes at bay, retaining its double-digit lead for the majority of the half, leading by 13 in the waning seconds. But a three-pointer at the first half buzzer pulled the Buffaloes to within 10 at 42-32 and seemed to swing momentum into West Texas' favor.
The Lions seemed unphased by the late basket, tying its game-high early in the second half by reestablishing a 17-point advantage at 51-34 with 17 minutes remaining in the game. But West Texas A&M found its groove, using a 14-2 run to pull to within five at 53-48 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.
A&M-Commerce went back on top by eight off a three-pointer by Hambrick, but the Buffaloes continued their hot streak, stringing together an 18-4 run to take the lead at 66-60 with just over four minutes remaining. The Lions were able to pull to within one on a pair of occasions, the last of which came at 73-72 with 26 seconds remaining, but four free throws and a pair of missed threes sealed the victory for West Texas A&M.
Offensive rebounding proved to be the spark the Buffaloes needed as West Texas held a dominating 17-3 edge over A&M-Commerce. After shooting 60 percent in the opening half, the Lions finished the game shooting 52.3 percent from the field, including 45.5 percent from three-point range (10-22).
Kennon Washington led West Texas with 24 points and four assists with Donald Sims recording a double-double, knocking down 16 points while grabbing 11 rebounds, including seven offensive. Lionel Foster also recorded a double-double for the Buffaloes, finishing with 13 points and 12 assists, with Courtney Carr adding 11 points and nine rebounds as the Buffaloes won their fifth-straight over the Lions.
A&M-Commerce continues its search for that elusive first Lone Star Conference victory this Saturday, January 7 when it hosts Eastern New Mexico. Tip-off against the Greyhounds is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday evening or 25 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game.
A&M-Commerce women 37 vs. West Texas A&M Women 110
Few things went right for A&M-Commerce in its first game of 2012 as the Lions never found their groove in a 110-37 loss to West Texas A&M at the First United Bank Center. The Lions drop to 1-10 on the season and 0-5 in Lone Star Conference play while the Lady Buffs improve to 8-4 overall and 6-0 in LSC action.
Danielle Dixon once again led the Lions with 10 points, marking the 10th time this season she has finished in double figures. Apreia Booker finished with eight points and for rebounds for A&M-Commerce with Breanna Harris finishing with six points and nine rebounds for the Lions. Michelle Sutton also had six points with a pair of assists for the Lions.
The Lions have historically struggled against West Texas, although a jumper by Dixon early in the game put A&M-Commerce on the board first, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead. But that was the extent of the highlights for A&M-Commerce as the Lady Buffs exploded, shooting 69 percent from the floor in the first half, compared to just 29.6 percent for A&M-Commerce as West Texas took a 62-20 lead into the halftime break.
Things didn't get any better in the second half for the Lady Lions as the West Texas onslaught continued. The Lady Buffs continued to roll, reaching 100 points in a game for the first time in nearly five years, routing A&M-Commerce 110-37. The Lions finished with 26 turnovers in the game, leading to a 45-4 discrepancy in points off turnovers.
West Texas A&M closed out the game shooting 61.5 percent from the floor while A&M-Commerce finished at 27.8 percent, hitting just 15 of its 54 shots on the night. The Lions failed to convert a three-point attempt at the First United Bank Center, putting up just three on the night, and continued to struggle from the free throw line, hitting just seven of 21 attempts (33.3 percent).
The loss for A&M-Commerce was the third-worst in program history, trailing only a 131-41 defeat to Mississippi College in 1976 and a 126-38 defeat to West Texas A&M in the 1989 Lone Star Conference tournament. The 37 points scored is the lowest in a game for the Lions since a 68-36 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma in 1998. A&M-Commerce also falls to 5-43 all-time against West Texas.
Five different Lady Buffs scored in double figures, led by 26 from Kenisha Harris and 23 from Devin Griffin. Chontiquah White posted a double-double for the Lady Buffs off the bench, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Casey Land posted 13 points and Joni Unruh finished with 12. Lacee Logan was West Texas' top rebounder, pulling down 11 boards.
The Lions will try to put the loss behind them quickly as they return to the Field House for a meeting with Eastern New Mexico on Saturday, January 7. A&M-Commerce has won five-straight over the Zias, including three in a row in Commerce. Opening tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
